Restore a Backup of a TDE Database to Another Server: Level 2 of the Stairway to TDE
In the second level of the stairway to TDE, we examine how you can restore your databases on another instance after moving the encryption certificate.
Transparent Data Encryption Using Certificates and EKM - Level 1 of the Stairway to TDE
The first level of the Stairway to TDE will explain how the feature works and how to set this up on one of your instances and databases.
Where to Test Your Code
When and where should you test code? Steve has a few thoughts when we consider the database as a crucial part of our software.
Two Tweaks for Faster Backups with Ola Hallengren’s Scripts
Ola Hallengren’s free maintenance solution is widely used as a replacement for SQL Server maintenance plans. It’s a more powerful, flexible tool for backups, corruption checking, and index & statistics updates. If you’re using it for backups, there are two quick, easy changes that can dramatically reduce your nightly job runtimes.
How to Rename a Column in SQL Server
Learn how to effectively rename columns in SQL Server using our comprehensive guide. Explore the use of sp_rename, limitations, and best practices
What Do You Want to Learn?
There's a survey available to give your input for what topics you'd like to learn about at the next SQL Saturday.
Effective Strategies for Storing and Parsing XML in SQL Server
XML is a common storage format for data, metadata, parameters, or other semi-structured data. Because of this, it often finds its way into SQL Server databases and needs to be managed alongside other data types.
Cloud Transformation
There are lots of companies moving databases to the cloud. Steve has a few thoughts on how to evaluate this for your company.
How I Used PostgreSQL RLS To Avoid Code Changes During a Migration
This article discusses how one person implemented Row Level Security in PostgreSQL to help with a data migration from a single tenant to a multi-tenant database structure.
Query Exercise: Beat ChatGPT at Finding Good Question Times
What are the best days of the week and times of the day to post a question at StackOverflow.com?
Blogs
What’s New at AWS re:Invent 2025 – Day 1 Highlights
Day 1 is an absolute thrill at re:Invent! I normally dedicate this dynamic day...
Running SQL Server on KubeVirt – Getting Started
With all the changes that have happened with VMware since the Broadcom acquisition I...
Why is shrinking IT budgets a good thing?
Each year around this time, companies enter the familiar ritual of budgeting. For many,...
Forums
Best analysis approach to reduce data type length in multiple tables
Hello SSC, I hope everyone is having a happy and safe holiday season! I...
Do you separate data/log files and TempDB files on different disks using AWS EC2
Hello, I am receiving multiple direction on deploying SQL Servers in AWS EC2. ...
Service account being in local admin in AWS EC2 environment?
Hello, I am working with a company on their database administration. I am trying...
Question of the Day
A New Operator
In SQL Server 2025, what does this code return?
SELECT '1' || '0'See possible answers